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Wuyao (Linderae Radix), also known as Ziteng Xiang, is of superior quality when it is purple and moist; inferior quality when it is thin and hard. Deep purple color is not desirable. Those imported from foreign ships are redder in color, have a sweet aroma, and possess significantly better medicinal efficacy.

The flavor is pungent and the nature is warm. It belongs to the category of aromas that are clear and intense. Burning it can ward off epidemic qi (epidemic pathogens) and dispel strange phenomena in dwellings. (Li Xun) states that it mainly resolves blood stasis, treats fractures and metal wounds, and stops bleeding. Scrape Dujin (Curcumae Radix) into powder for internal use; or grind into powder and apply externally to stop bleeding. For carbuncles, sores, and malignant toxins, grind into powder and apply topically.

[Discussion] Pungent-warm herbs primarily treat Qi-level disorders. Wuyao is considered superior when its texture is moist and color is red, which indeed allows it to enter the Blood level through its aroma to achieve therapeutic effects. (Refer to examples of other pungent-warm herbs such as Baitan [Santalum album Lignum] and Zitan [Pterocarpus santalinum Lignum].)

Those from Lingnan are blackish-brown and hard; those from Tiantai are white and soft-aromatic. Some say that Tiantai varieties are less potent than those from Hainan. They grow abundantly in the mountains of Wu and Chu. Both roots and leaves are aromatic, but the roots are not very large, roughly the thickness of Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix). The flesh of young roots is white, while old roots are brownish. Roots are harvested in the eighth lunar month.

The flavor is pungent, warm, slightly bitter, and slightly aromatic. The aroma is stronger than the taste. It is Yang in nature. It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It expels various cold pathogens, disperses cold epidemics, and regulates Yuan Qi. For conditions such as nausea, drowsiness, and abdominal deficiency swelling caused by cold qi attacking upward from the inter-renal area, grind Wuyao into powder and take with warm ginger decoction. It can also be eaten dipped in food. It is used for postpartum conditions or slow convulsions and accumulation in children.

[Discussion] The function of Wuyao is crudely regarded as merely pungent dispersion. If it were only for pungent dispersion, how could it resolve retained food, stop bloody dysentery, and regulate frequent urination?

[Processing] Harvest the lateral adventitious roots (the taproot is unsuitable). Those resembling linked beads or bracelets are preferred. Remove the bark and core, and stir-fry briefly. Young leaves, after roasting and grinding, can be decocted as tea substitute to tonify the Middle and benefit Qi, and stop slippery and frequent urination. (Chen Cangqi stated) Wuyao connects downward to the Kidney Meridian and regulates upward the Yuan Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. In Danxi's Yin-Nourishing Pill, Wuyao leaves are often added.